Switch operating mechanism



Jan. 12, 1932. P. c. CLARKE 1,841,090

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM I Filed Feb. 28, 1930 2 sheets-sheet x Inventor Philip C. Clarke,

b3 Wm HLs Attorne Jan. 12, 1932. c, CLARKE 1,841,090

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 28, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor phLLLp C. CLar'ke,

HLs Attorney.

' operation may therefore be considerably rej duced by increasing the speed of the tripping Patented Jan. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHILIP C. CLARKE, OF WEST COLLINGSWOOI), NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OI NEW YORK SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Application filed February 28, 1930. Serial No. 432,238.

'My invention relates to switch operating mechanism and more particularly to operating mechanism of the quick-acting type for circuitbreakers having large power interrupt-ing capacities.

In modern interconnected power systems involving vast quantities of power, it is possible that a disturbance of brief duration at U some part ofthe network may cause such instability that some of the generating units dro out of synchronism. It is therefore hig ly desirable, if not essential, that the fault, which may be a short circuit, for example, be isolated from the system as quickly as possible in order to maintain the stability thereof within reasonable limits. Accordingly, the duty of isolating the faultbe- 'fore any of the generating units pull out of particular part of the system.

'In circuit breakers, as of the oil type for example, the total duration of the opening operation may be divided into several periods, namely; the time required to disengage the trip mechanism of the breaker and start the movable contact structure inmotion; the time rom the start of motion to the separation o the contacts, and the time from the separation of the contacts to the interruption of the circuit. The duration of mechan sm and by causing quick PO SItiVG opening of the contact-structure immediately in response tothetripping operation.

It is an object of'my invention to provide I hi'ghspeed tripping and operating mechanism for large capacity circuit breakers which shall be simplein construction, and, reliable and positive inaction.

It is a further object of my invention to rovide a high speed opening mechanism or circuit breakers wherein an energy stor ing operation is effected prior to the circuit closing operation for causing a subsequent opening of the breaker.

It is a further object of my invention to provide, in a high speed opening mechanism energy in a compression spring for effecting step falls upon the circuit breakers in that position; Fig. 3 is a dia for circuit breakers, mechanism for storing opening of the circuit breaker at high speed, and mechanism for causing closing movement of the circuit breaker subsequent to compression of said spring, said mechanisms being interconnected by coupling means whereby trip-free action of the circuit break er at any time during its closing movement may be obtained.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following description referring to the accompanying drawing, and the features of novelty which characterize m invention will be pointed out with partic arity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a diegrammatic illustration of high speed operating mechanism embodying my invention as sociated with a circuit breaker; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of part of the mechanism illustrated in F ig'. 1 in another ammatic illustration showing the mechanism instill another position; Figs. 4 and .5 are views partly in section of an alternate form of mechanism adapted to be used in Figs. 1-3; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of another form of my invention; Figs. 7 8 and 9 are detailed views of apparatus illustrated in Fi 6 shown in different operating positions and Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are views of another alternate form of mechanism shown in difierent operating positions.

In Fig. 1 there is illustrated operating mechanism associated with a circuit breaker of the fluid-break type. In the present instance, but without limitation of my invention thereto, an oil circuit breaker provided with explosion chambers is em loyed comprising an operating rod 1 carrying the movable bridging contact structure 2 and the. contact rods 3. The stationary contacts for coacting ,with the movablefcontact rods are disposed within the e losion chambers 4 which may be of well nown construction, and are mounted at the lower portions of the insulating bushings 5. The 0 ration of this type of circuit breaker is we known, it being necessary simply to mention that downseparation of the contacts within the explosion chamber, the pressure generated by the arcs within the chambers being effective to force oil out the lower end of the chambers for extinguishing the arc. The closing operation of the breaker is effected by simply moving the operating rod upwardly from the position shown until-the contact rods 3 properly engage the stationary contacts within the corresponding explosion chambers.

For the purpose of transmitting motion to the operating rod 1, there is provided suitable straight-line linkage mechanism comprising a longitudinally movable rod 6 connected at one end, as at 7, to one arm of a bell crank 8 having a fixed pivot 9. The other end of the bell crank is connected as at 10 to a link 11 likewise connected as at 12 to a second bell crank 13 having a fixed pivot 14. The opposite end of the bell crank 13 is connected through a link 15 to one end of the lever 16 centrally pivoted as at 17 and having its other end connected at 18 to the mid portion of'a link 19, one end of which is connected as at 20 to the operating rod 1, the other end being connected to a link 21 pivoted at 22. It will be noted therefore that reciprocal movement of the rod 6 causes reciprocal movement of the pivot point 20 and therefore the switch operating rod 1 by reason of the straightline linkage mechanism 16, 19 and 21. Accordingly, downward movement of the rod 6 is effective to cause closing or upward movement of the operating rod 1, and vice versa. The motive power for actuating the rod 6 so as to cause either opening or closing of the circuit breaker comprises in the present instance two electro-motive devices 23 and 24, as electric motors for example, and an energy storing device, as a strong compression spring 25, for example. It shall be understood, of course, that in lieu of the motors 23 and 24, other motive means, as solenoids, hydraulic operators or other suitable sources of power may be used.

The function of the motor 23 is to store energy solely for the opening operation of the circuit breaker, and to this end it is operatively connected to the compression spring 25 through the well known centrifugal fiyball operating linkage 26, a link 27 centrally pivotcd as at 28, and compound toggle structure presently to be described. The link 27 is connected at its operating end to a link 27 which is in turn-connected to the central pivot of a toggle 2929. For the purpose of controlling the toggle 2929, a second toggle 2930, forming therewith a compound toggle, is provided. The link 30 of this second toggle has a fixed pivot at 30, the other end of the link comprising the central pivot of the toggle which is controlled by tripping means hereinafter described. A bell crank 31 having a fixed pivot 32 is connected to the toggle 29-29 and also, as at 33, to a bearing plate 34 coacting with the movable end of the compression spring 25 which is seated at its oppo' site end on a stationary support 35. The hearing plate 34 is provided with a portion 36 adapted to abut under predetermined conditions a corresponding member 37 carried by one end of the rod 6.

The function of the motor 24 is to efl'ect closing movement of the switch operating rod 1, and for this purpose the motor is operatively connected in the manner above described to the rod 6 through the fiy-ball operating linkage 38, centrally pivoted link 39, the connecting link 39, toggle 40-40, and a bell crank 42 pivoted at 43, and having one arm connected as at44 to the toggle 4040, and the other arm pivotally connected to a collar 45 or the like secured to the rod 6. As in the previous instance the toggle 40-40 forms part of a compound toggle arrangement comprising the second toggle 4041. The toggles interconnecting the motors with the compression spring and switch operating rod respectively, are each controlled by a common trip mechanism comprising a tripping toggle 4646 whose central pivot is provided with a roller 47 adapted to be engagged and restrained in position by a tripping lug 48 pivoted at 49. The tripping lug 48 may be moved out of the path of the central pivot roller 47 by any suitable means, as for example, an extension 50 adapted to be engaged by the movable core 51 of an overload or tripping magnet. The tripping toggle is provided with a fixed pivot 52 at one end and is pivoted at its other end to a link 53 connected at its opposite ends, as at 54 and 55, to

the respective compound toggle arrangements above referred to. It will therefore be noted that the link 53 is effective, when the tripping toggle 46-46 is locked by the lug 48, to permit straightening of the toggles 2929 and 4040' for causing clockwise rotation of the bell cranks 31 and 42 respectively, and to per mit buckling or collapse of said toggles and consequent counterclockwise movement of the bell cranks when collapse of thetripping toggle allows upward movement of the link 53. In other words. when the link 53 is restrained in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, the pivots 55 and 54 are stationary with the result that the toggles 29-29 and 40--40 may be straightened as simple toggles.

Referring now to Fig. 2, and assuming that the apparatus was greviously in the position illustrated in Fig. the apparatus is illustrated in a preliminary circuit closing position wherein the motor 23 has been independently energized through suitable circuit connections to cause compression of the which remains stationary. As illustrated in i Fig. 2, the spring compressing toggle 29 29' is straightened to a slightly overset or looking position so that it is capable of holding the spring 25 in its compressed position against the reaction thereof. The motor 24 issuitably energized subsequent to energize.- tion of the motor 23 so that the compression of the spring 25 and the movement ofthe rod 6 may be effected independently of each other.

The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3 shows the operating mechanism in the fully closed position wherein the motor 24 has moved the rod 6 to its circuit closing position so that it again abuts the bearing member 36 of the compression spring. As in the previous spring compressing operation, the toggle 4040' is straigthened by the flyball operating linkage 38 to cause clockwise movement of the bell crank 42 and consequent closing of the breaker. .The toggle 40-40. is likewise straightened to a slightly overset position and engages at its central pivot the stop member 42 so as to lock the circuit breaker closed. It shall be noted therefore that the circuit breaker is maintained and locked in its closed position as long as the toggles 29-29 and 40,40 assume the locking positions illustrated in Fig. 3.

In case the circuit breaker is to be opened in response to some abnormal circuit condition in thesystem, the magnetic member 51 engages the extension of the tripping lug so as to move it in a clockwise direction out of the ath of the central-pivot roller 47 of the loc ing toggle. It will be obvious, of course, that a suitably operated manual device may be employed if desired. With the toggle 4646' now free to collapse, the reacting forces exerted along the toggles 2929 and 40 40"cause sudden upward movement of the link 46, now that the pivots 55 and 54 are no longer held stationary, with the result that the aforesaid toggles havetheir linesof centers shifted so that theyare now undertravelled and free to collapse. Since the toggles collapse practically simultaneously, the rod 6 is at once urged upwardly by the powerful compression spring 25 so that the operating rod 1 is moved at high speed to its open circuit position. I

It shall be noted that the compression spring 25 is effective to cause opening of the circuit breaker practically simultaneously with the buckling of the locking toggle 46. Since the tripping magnet may cause buckling of the toggle within a very short time, it

' force.

is apparent that the operation of the breaker is particularly rapid.

For the pur ose of returning the various toggle and fly all linkages to the positions illustrated in Fig. 1, suitable resetting means,

as springs or weights (not shown) may be employed. 7

Trip-free action of the circuit breaker operating mechanism is generally desirable, since certain conditions existing in the system may make closing or reclosing of the breakerinadvisable. By trip-free action is meant the tripping of the breaker mechanism at any time during its closing movement regardless of the application of the closing In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 3, trip-free action is of course possible, but due to the fact that the members 36 and 37 would very likely be spaced from each other at-the moment of tripping, unless the motors are synchronized to effect the spring compressing and switch. closing operations simultaneously, the rod 6 would be subjected to the im act of the released compression spring. t is therefore essential that suitable coupling -means be provided for enabling the spring 25 when released at any time during the switch closing movement, to

act upon the operating rod 6 without shock or impact where trip-free action is desired.

In lieu of the mechanical engagement between the compression spring 25 and the rod 6, there-may be provided suitable unidirectional thrust-transmitting coupling means, as a hydraulic coupler, for example, of the character illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. As in the previous arrangement, the bell crank 31 .is connected through a bearing member 34 to the compression spring 25, and the bell crank 42 is pivotally connected to the rod 6. For the purpose of permitting compression of the spring by operation of the bell crank 31 independently of the bell crank 42, and for transmitting energy at any time during the closing movement of the switch from the compression spring 'to the rod 6, there is provided I a hydraulic cylinder 60 fixed in any suitable manner to the lower end of the rod 6 and having at its opposite end an end wall 61 within which is guided a piston rod 62 connected to a piston member 63. The piston member 63 is provided with fluid passages 64 which are adapted to be closed by a valve member 65 seating on the upper side of the piston. The valve 65 is provided with a valve stem 66 extending through a bore within the piston rod as oil, for example, so that the piston 63 will be operating under predetermined conditions against a substantially non-compressible fluid. It will be apparent that during the spring compressing operation the fluid pressure underneath the piston 63 will tend to lift the valve 65 from its seat thereby permitting flow of oil through the passages 64 so that the piston 63 may be moved to its lower position without appreciable fluid resistance. This position is illustrated in Fig. 5 Wherein the bell crank 31 has fully compressed the spring prior to the actual switch closing operation. For the purpose of maintaining t e valve 65 out of engagement with the piston 63 so that the cylinder may now be moved with respect to the stationary piston 63 during the switch closing operation, there is provided a stationary stop member 68 for engaging the lower extension 66' of the valve stem so as to insure that the passages 64 are unobstructed during the switch closing operation.

The operation of the hydraulic coupler in permitting trip-free action and in opening the circuit breaker is believed to be apparent. Immediately upon release of the compression spring inresponse to collapse of the trlpplng toggle, the forward movement of the plston 63 with respect to its cylinder immediately closes the valve so that the piston is acting on a confined body of oil. Accordingly, the piston 63 and its cylinder serve as thrusttransmitting structure and move together as a unit to cause rapid opening of the circuit breaker.

In the event that the tripping magnet is ener 'zed during the closing movement of the brea er, the compression spring is, of course, instantly released and tends to force the piston 63 upwardly at high speed. This action immediately closes the valve 65 so that the piston is acting as in the previous instance, on a confined body of oil. It is therefore apparent that trippmg of the operating mechanism, and concurrent releaseof the compression spring at any point in the closin movement of the breaker causes the operating rod 6 to be actuated upwardly at high speed without shock or impact.

Under certain o erating conditions, as for example, where the electric motors derive their power from storage batteries, it may be desirable to utilize one motor instead of two for effecting the individual switching operations above described. There is illustrated in Fig. 6 an arrangement wherein the use. of a single motor for performing 'the above operations is possible. As in the previous instance, the operating rod 6 and the compression spring 25 are provided with operating bell cranks 70 and 71 respectively, which are each pivotally mounted at a common center 72. The bell crank 70 is connected to an operating toggle 7 3-74 whose s at-acne central pivot i6 is connected through a link 76 to a centrally pivoted operating lever 77. The bell crank 71 is connected through a sim ilar operating toggle 78'79 to the central ly pivoted operating lever 80. In the position illustrated, the central pivot 81 of the toggle 7 879 engages a stationary stop 82 for holding the toggle in an overset, locking position. The stop 82, it shall be noted, is likewise adapted to be engaged by the central pivot of the toggle 73- 14 for a similar purpose. The links 74 and 79 of the above described operating tog les are each connected at a point 83 to the tripping toggle 46, and to a pivoted link 84 forming therewith, as in the previous instance, a compound toggle arrangement. The toggle 46-46 coacts in the manner previously .described with the tripping lug 48 and magnetizable core 51 of the tripping ma net for controlling the common pivot 83 o the toggles 7 3 74 and 787 9.

For the ur ose of operating the levers 77 and indivi ually and in proper sequence to perform the spring compressing and switch closing operations, the single motor 85 is connected through its centrifugal flyball link age 86 to, an operating link 87. The operating link has a slot 88 within which a lug 89 fixed at one end of the lever 80 may slide. Pivotally mounted as at 90 to the upper end of the lug 87 is a catch 91 normally biased by a spring 92 in a clockwise direction. The catch 91, in a manner hereinafter described is adapted to hook over and en a e a pin 93, secured at one end of the lever 7 or rotating the lever in a counterclockwise direction and effecting closing of the breaker.

Referring more articularly to Figures 7, 8 and 9 wherein di erent operating ositions of the link 87 are illustrated, the lin in Fig. 7 is in positon prior to starting the sprin compressing operation. As will be note both levers 77 and 80 are in the open circuit positions, and the lug 89 is near the to of the slot 88 so that downward movement 0 the link 87 will be effective to cause compression of the spring. For the purpose of disengag ing the catch 91 from the lever 77 during this first o eration, the top of the slot 88 is spaced slighty from the lug 89, and the lug is likewise provided with a detent 94 adapted to engage a cam surface 95 of the catch 91. The catch 91 is limited with respect to clockwise movement by a pin 96 in the link 87 During initial downward movement of link 87 in response to energization of the motor 85, the lug 89 remains stationary with the result that the catch 91, which is carried downwardly by the link 87, is engaged by the detent 94 so as to cam the catch 91 in a counter-clockwise direction out of engagement with the pin 93. This operation is clearly illustrated in Fig. 8 wherein the lever 80 has been moved to the position illustrated in Fig. 6 showing the spring 25 compressed and the toggle 78 79 straightened to an overset, locking position. The motor 85 is now deenergized so that the centrifugal fly-ball linkage 86 may collapse or straighten under the influence of springs or other suitable resetting means (not shown) causing return of the operating link 87 to a position to 0 erate the lever 77 and close the circuit brea er.

In Fig. 9 thelink 87 is illustrated in a position just prior to its link-engaging operation. 'The link 87 is of course free to move with respect to the lever 80 and lug 89 by reason of the elongated slot 88 and as the catch 91 approaches and engages the pin 93 on the link 77 .it is at first cammed along its surface 91' in a counterclockwise direction, thereby ermitting the catch 91 to slide over and hoo on to the pin 93. Once the detent has engaged the pin 93 it is resiliently held in such position by the spring 92 so that subsequent energization of the'motor 85 and downward movement of the link 87 is eflective to rotate the lever 77, straighten the toggle 73 7 4:, and move the rod 6 to the circuit closing position.

' As in the arrangement wherein two motors are used, the common tripping toggle 46 is adapted, when it collapses, to shift the common pivot 83 of both toggles in an upward direction so as to cause both of the operating toggles simultaneously to collapse, thereby permitting the spring 25 to cause, in the manner previously described, rapid opening movement of the circuit breaker.

It is apparent that the hydraulic coupler illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 may be connected to the bell cranks'70 and 71 in the manner previously described for the purpose of obtaining trip-free action without shock or im pact.

Another arrangement for compressing the opening spring and closing the circuit breaker in sequence and independently of each other while permitting desirable trip-free action, is illustrated in Figs. 10-12 inclusive. In this arrangement a suitable source of power, asa single motor, may be used, connected to a rotatable shaft 100. Upon the shaft are mounted the cams 101102 for operating respectively the spring compressing lever 103 and the switch operating lever 104. The compression spring 105 is disposed between the operating rod 6 and the operatin end of the lever 103 which has a central fixe pivot 103. The operating faces of the cams 101 and 102 coact with rollers mounted at the ends of the levers 103,and*104; respectively. Tripping mechanism for the breaker and spring is diagrammatically illustrated by a pivoted bell crank 106 pivotally connected, as at 104, at one end to the lever 104 and having a roller at its other end for engaging the pivoted restraining lug 107, controlled by a tripping magnet 108. In Fig. 10 the apparatus is in the open circuit position with the spring expanded.

The initial closing operation is effected by starting the cams which move together on the shaft as a unit, in clockwise rotation. When the cams-have completed half a revolution, as illustrated in Fig. 11, the cam 101 has rotated the lever 103 in the clockwise direction and compressed the spring. The lever 104, however, has remained stationary during this operation since the camming surface of the cam 102 has so far been concentric with respect to the shaft 100. As the cams continue to rotate until substantially a complete revolution hasbeen made, as illustrated in Fig. 12, the lever 104 is rotated in counterclockwise direction, the pivot 104 being held stationary by the locked bell crank 106, to cause closing of the breaker. During this movement the cam 101 permitsa like amount of counterclockwise rotation to the lever 103 so that the spring is retained in its properly compressed position between the operating rod 6 and the lever 103' during the entire closing movement of the breaker. Accordingly, the spring is efiective to react upon the operating rod 6 at any time during the closing movement without shock .or impact so as to afiord the desired trip-free action. The

tripping action is believed to be apparent from the above description. Upon release of the bell crank 106 in response to actuation of the tripping means, it is urged in a clockwise direction by the spring to permit opening of the breaker.

For the purpose of clearness and simplicity in disclosure, the energizing and control circuits for the motors in various forms of my invention above described have been omitted, and it shall be understood therefore that the individual circuit controllin operations may be entirely under the contro of an operator,

as by push buttons, or if desired, suitable means well known in the art may interconnect and interlock the mechanism so that the motor mechanism coacting with the powerful opening spring is energized in response to opening movement of the'breaker, thereby automatically rechar ing theo enin s rin It shall be unders t ood that my ifiv ntidii is not limited to the specific details of construction or arrangement thereof hereinillustrated, and that changes or modifications may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

. What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A switch operating system comprising a circuit breaker, energy storing means for efi'ecting rapid opening movement of said circuit breaker, and electromotive means arranged to close said circuit breaker and eflect an energy storing operation on said first-named means, said electromotive means being adapted to effect said energy storing operation independently of said circuit closing oration.

2. i switch operating system comprisin a circuit breaker, energy storing means or causin opening of said breaker at high speed, and e ectromotive means eflt'ecting closing movement of the circuit breaker and an en- 1 ergy storing operation on said means, said electromotive means adapted to efl'ect said ener storing operation prior to and indepen ently of the circuit closing 0 eration.

3. A switch 0, rating system ora large capacity circuit feaker comprising an opening spring, electromotive actuating means, mechanism operatively connecting the electromotive actuatin means to said opening spring and to the circuit breaker arranged to e ect compression of the opening spring and closing of the circuit breaker, and a common trip for said mechanism causing release of said spring and consequent opening movement of the circuit breaker.

4. A switch operating system comprising a circuit breaker, energy storing means or causing rapid opening movement of the breaker, an operating mechanism connected to said breaker for closing the same, an operating mechanism connected to said means for efiecting an energy storing operation thereon, said last named mechanlsm adapted to be operatedgvrior to said switch closing mechanism, an a common tripping means interconnecting said mechanisms whereby said ener .storing means is released to cause opening of the breaker at high speed.

5. A switch operating system comprising a circuit breaker, spring means for causing opening of said breaker" at high speed, and e ectromotive means eflecting closing movement of said breaker and compression of said spring means, said electromotive means being eflectlve to compress said spring means independently of. and prior to said circuit closing movement whereby the energy stored in the spring means is effective when released. to cause rapid opening movement of the breaker.

6. A switc operating system for a large capacity circuit breaker including a switch operating rod comprising an accelerating opening I spring, electromotive actuating means, a crank operative? connected to said accelerating spring for e ecting compression of said spring, a crank operatively connected to said switch operating rod for eflecting switch closing movement thereof and engagement with said spring, said cranks operatively connected to the electromotive actuating means for transmitting power to perform said spring charging and switch closing operations, and a tri ping mechanism common to said cranks e ecting simultaneous release of said spring and opening movement of the switch operating rod.

7. A switch 0 capacity circuit reaker comprising opening crating system for a large ass-into and closing mechanism, a compression spring adapted. to store energy for causing opening movement of the circuit breaker at high speed, tripping mechanism responsive to a predetermined condition in the circuit to be controlled for permitting release of energy in said spring and opening movement orthe breaker mechanism, and electromotivc means eflecting directly compression or said spring and closing movement of the breaker in individual sequential operations of the electromotive means.

8. A switch operating system for a high capacity circuit breaker comprising opening and closing mechanism for the breaker, a spring adapted to coact therewith for causing opening movement of the breaker at high speed, toggle structure operatively connected to the operating mechanism for causing closing movement of the breaker, toggie structure operatively connected to said spring for performing an energy storing operation thereon, tripping mechanism common to said toggle structures for permitting simultaneous release of energyin the spring and openmg movement of the breaker, and motive means operatively associated with said toggle structures.

9. A switch operating system for a high ca pacity circuit breaker comprising operating mechanism for the breaker, spring means adapted to store energy for causing opening movement of the mechanism at high speed, toggle structure operatively connected to the operatlng mechanism for transmitting mot1on to cause closing movement of the breaker toggle structure operatively connected to said sprmg means for transmitting force to perform an energy storing operation thereupon, tripping mechanism common and operatlvely connected to said toggle structures for permitting collapse thereof in response to a-predetermined circuit condition whereby the energy stored in the spring means is effective immediately to cause opening of the breaker, and electromotive means operativcl associated with said toggle structures for e fecting in sequence the energy storing operation and the switch closing movement.

10. A switch operating system for a high capacity circuit breaker comprising a switch operating member, a spring coactin with said member for efiecting high spec 0 ening of the breaker, electromotive means e ecting an energy storing operation on said spring, the electromotive means subsequently efiectmg closing movement of the breaker, and a unidirectional thrust coupling interconnecting said member and spring for transmitting without shock immediate reaction of the spring to said member at any time during the closing movement of the breaker.

11. A switch operating system for a high capacity circuit breaker comprising an operatmg member, spring means operatively related to said member for causing opening movement of the breaker at high speed, m0 tive means for performing in sequence an energy storing operation on said spring means and closing movement of the breaker, tripping mechanism common to said spring means and a memberfor simultaneously releasing the energy in the spring means and permitting opening of the breaker, and coupling means interconnecting said spring means and a member for permitting said energy storing operation independently of movement of said member, said coupling means being adapted to transmit the reaction of said spring means to said member without shock or impact at any time during the closing'movement of the breaker in respouse to actuation of the tripping mechamsm.

12. A switch operating system for a high capacity circuit breaker comprising an operating member, a compression spring asso ciated with the operating member for storing energy to cause opening of the breaker at high speed, an electric motor for effecting closing movement of the breaker and compression of said spring, and means for operatively connecting said motor to said spring and member in sequence whereby the spring compressing operation is effected in-,

dependently of and prior to the switch closmg movement.

13. A switch operating system for a high speed, large capacity circuit breaker comprising operating mechanism for the breaker. a compression spring associated therewith for storing energy to cause opening movement of the breaker at high speed, a cam adapted when actuated to cause compression of said spring, a second cam coacting therewith for causing closing movement of the breaker, and motive means for actuating said cams, the camming surfaces of the cams being so related that the spring compressing operation is effected prior to closing movement of the breaker and so that the spring is adapted immediately to react without shock upon the operating mechanism at any time during the opening movement of the breaker.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of February, 1930.

' PHILIP C. CLARKE. 

